The Trinidad and Tobago government has confirmed a significant fuel oil leak off Tobago's coast. 🛢️ A barge carrying up to 35,000 barrels of intermediate fuel oil struck a reef and overturned, causing the spill to spread into the Caribbean Sea. First spotted on February 7 by Trinidad's Coast Guard, the leak has been slowly leaking for over three weeks, affecting Tobago's beautiful beaches, fisheries, and tourism industry. 🌊🏖️
\"Analyses of the hydrocarbon discharge collected in Tobago indicates that the samples are characteristic of a refined oil,\" stated Trinidad's energy ministry. The fuel oil, used to power combustion engines, has not only stained Tobago’s coastline but also reached the waters off Grenada. 🚤
Allan Stewart, head of Tobago's emergency department, reported that while the pace of the leak has slowed, efforts are ongoing to prevent the hydrocarbons from affecting more sensitive areas. Containment booms and skimmers are currently holding and mopping up the spill. 🛠️
The barge, sailing from Panama to Guyana, was reportedly near Venezuela’s shore days before the spill, according to TankerTrackers.com and Bellingcat’s satellite imagery analysis. However, Venezuela has denied that the barge originated from the Bolivarian Republic. 🔍
Residents and visitors alike are concerned about the environmental and economic impacts, but officials are working diligently to manage and mitigate the damage. 💪🌱
